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The following is an extract from the full translation posted on Joana Morais' blog.
"14 December 2009 | Posted by astro"
"The following text is the translation of the Preface to Gonçalo Amaral's new book, "The English Gag". Titled "Locard's Truth", the preface is authored by Francisco Moita Flores, a former Polícia Judiciária inspector, now the Mayor of Santarém, and a renowned criminologist and author.
Locard’s Truth
I read this outcry for freedom by Gonçalo Amaral at a time when the country wallows, and when I say the country, I say the politicians, some characters within the judiciary system supplying the pyrotechnical material for the fireworks that the media launch every day around the ‘Face Oculta’ process [major corruption scandal presently being investigated in Portugal]. And it is the greatest example of hypocrisy. Exactly the same newspapers, the same columnists, who in the name of respect for the parents’ «pain», in the name of respect for arguidos with no other coercion measure, practically imposed the end of any newscast about Maddie, they are exactly the same that, forgetting today what they had said yesterday, flog personalities from the areas of politics or economy with suspicions, half truths and hearsay, based on wiretaps that nobody knows, savagely destroying the character and honour of their targets."
Read the full text of the preface here Joana Morais blogspot
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That's what my father used to say when somebody looked miserable, Gerry, and you really don't look too happy in that photo. And you looked a wee bit scunnered in that kind of interview when reporters pressed you for a comment at Lisbon airport.
Sky News - see video
You were asked how you felt about meeting Mr Amaral and you said, "Haven't thought about it. Thank you." Gerry, I think you're telling porky pies! You reckon Dr Amaral's book has hindered the search for your daughter and you are trying to permanently ban the book and also claim over a million quid in damages, but you haven't thought about coming face-to-face with that man? Gerry, if you told me it was raining, I'd have to look out the window to make sure.
Oh dear! Kate looks like she's had her hair done specially for the trip. It's got that just out of the salon look! So, what now that the process has been postponed? A visit to Praia da Luz? Will you and your wifie now do some searching for your daughter? Maybe you could get in touch with the PJ, get your mates over too and finally do an official reconstruction of the events of the night your daughter disappeared from the unlocked apartment. Or maybe Kate could now answer the 48 questions the Portuguese police put to her, the questions that included one about how her not answering could harm the investigation.
Now you've got some spare time on your hands since the trial has been postponed, you could surely put it to good use. Why not see the PJ and ask for the investigation to be re-opened?
So, who stole your scone, Gerry? Was it the sight of the list of witnesses being presented by Dr Amaral? Or maybe the fact that Gonçalo is publicly launching another book this very day?
"The English Gag," Sounds about right, Gerry. One day the world will know....the truth from the lie.
The headline in today's Metro reads, "Libel cop launches new Maddie Book on opening day of trial."
Clarence Mitchell, for the McCanns appears to be none too impressed!
"It's regrettable that Mr Amaral chooses to do this on the same day as the trial opening," said Clarence Mitchell."
Regrettable, Mr Mitchell? Who do you think regrets this timing? Carefully planned by Dr Amaral, I would say, and should attract a great deal of publicity. Is that what is regrettable? Too many of the world's journalists around, who will no doubt be giving free publicity to this new venture from Dr Amaral? Bit too close to the truth the title?
Clarence Mitchell goes on to say:
"Most people would expect him to concentrate on the trial rather than launching any new book and the court will take its own view of his activities."
There are people all over the world, Clarrie, who wonder why your clients went jogging while residents of Praia da Luz took a week off work to look for their daughter. I have often wondered why Kate McCann sat in the apartment all night on the night of May 3rd, 2007, rather than getting out there desperately hunting for her daughter.
"In his book The Truth Of The Lie, Mr Amaral - who was involved in the initial investigation but later taken off the case - claimed Madeleine was dead and questioned the McCanns' account that she was taken while they were eating with friends."
Now, the first person to suggest that Madeleine McCann was dead and that her body was hidden somewhere in the Praia da Luz area was Mark Harrison, an English specialist who was called in to help the Portuguese police. In his book, Dr Amaral simply reports Mark Harrison's conclusions. (See chapter 16 of The Truth Of The Lie)
"A year-long campaign by the McCanns' lawyers to prevent the publication of the book and a subsequent DVD led to an injunction banning its further sale or publication being granted in September."
The book was published, in fact, and sold well all over Europe before the McCanns went to court to apply for the injunction, which was, I hasten to add, a temporary one.
"Mr Amaral says his new book has emerged from his indignation in the face of censorship."
And for that I commend the good doctor and wish him the very best of luck in court tomorrow and every day of this process.
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Thanks to Joana Morais for this information.
"Gonçalo Amaral is not a character.
He is the boldness of Truth. He is the challenge of Truth.»
Francisco Moita Flores in Preface
Gonçalo Amaral's new book, "The English Gag - The story of a forbidden book", will be publicly launched on Friday, the 11th of December, 2009, at the Ler Devagar - Lx Factory bookshop, in Lisbon, at 6.30 p.m.
With a preface by Francisco Moita Flores, the book will be presented by Professor José Adelino Maltez."
